Can you marry your first cousin?

Question

Someone I know told me that you can as they know of a couple who have done exactly that. Is this true? I've always thought that this was illegal as they are genetically too close, it would be a bit like marrying one of your siblings. I'm just intrigued to know your thoughts on this and whether you know any more about this subject then I do.

Answer 1

In the UK and Europe the anser is yes, but your right, it is unwise because of the close genetic link. I have a good friend whose parents where first cousins and she is absolutely fine. It's also unwise because of the diseases that can be passed down through the family line, so generally is best avoided if you can.

Answer 2

1. It is only illegal in the eyes of the Church, the actual federal law has only one limit on marriage that it has to be between a man and a woman. Some states do not allow it, but that is a small number.
2. There are some people that think that this is a good thing, as you know the person you are going to marry and keep the family going.

Here is the problem, it could cause some growth problems, but more important, if you get divorced it could tear a family apart.

Answer 3

In the UK it is legal. Most States in the US do not allow it. When you think about it, if first cousins have six grandparents between them instead of 8, so only half of their genes come from the same two grandparents. Also, unless their parents were identical twins, the genes that they obtained from their sib parents would differ, too. The risk is that some recessive traits might be shown in their children, so it would be good to trace the family history as far as possible to see if there were any serious conditions which might be a problem.

Of course, it IS all about sex and children. Incest is a 'bad' word only because of taboo. If two people married and never had children, it would not matter how closely they were related by blood - they could even be identical twins! What matters then is only the love they have for each other.

You can see from the answers how shocking it is to some people. The physical deformities, however, are not nearly as common as these people imagine. Animal breeding relies heavily on controlled in-breeding in order to keep bloodlines pure. This is why pedigrees are of such vital importance. It is possible (in animal and plant breeding) to select good traits, so it is as likely that inbreeding in humans would give beneficial traits as it is in any other animal. One might select for athleticism or mental ability, for example, very successfully.

The problem, as I see it, is that the photographs one sees of people who have been a result of incest are often from families where their very remoteness encouraged or necessitated it and those families may have originally chosen not to associate with the rest of their society because they felt themselves to be outcasts, through physical or mental problems, in the first place.

Answer 4

Well, I've known several couples who are first cousins and have married. It isn't illegal, but you do take the risk of having children with genetic problems.

Answer 5

Not illegal but frowned upon, and yes there may be genetic problems, just look at Europe's royal families they have been marrying cousins for generations.

Answer 6

It depends where you're at. In some states/countries it's legal. I personally have nothing against it if the couple is happy. I wouldn't wanna marry my cousin though, too gross for me.
My best friend's parents are first cousins and she's perfectly normal.

Answer 7

You are not allowed to marry Siblings or half-siblings. You can marry 1st cousins and any relatives further than that. That answers your question. If you're asking from the UK or Ireland that is.

Answer 8

scary...but true. I had first cousins (I never met them-just heard the stories!) who not only got married but had two children! The really bizarre thing is I read not long ago about somebody who wanted to marry her step brother but wasn't allowed to as it was legally classed as incest. Go figure.Oh-and it seems the kids were perfectlyhealthy.

Answer 9

Hell No. Pa has a law on the books that state its illegal to marry your first cousin. I believe more states also have this law.

Answer 10

incest :

sex between close relatives: sexual activity between two people who are considered, for moral and genetic reasons, too closely related to have such a relationship.
Incest is regarded as a serious taboo in almost every society, although cultures differ as to the extent to which marriages are allowed between relatives.

[13th century. From Latin incestus , from castus (see chaste).]